27th September 1914

Off N.S.W. Coast

Sunday September 27 1914

I am on board for sick and defaulters orderly.  Went round to collect the sick and had plenty to do. Marched them up before the Doctor and a fine lot of specimens they where.  Thank goodness there was only one defaulter.  After getting him something to do I went down to dinner and had a small dinner at that.  Had a spell till 3.30 got the sick marched up before the Doctor.  Today our first horse went overboard.  He had Campers bad and the rough seas he went down to it so they shot him and heaved him overboard.  Tea time had a nice little meal.  Weather is rougher.

A dead horse being thrown overboard, WWI, place unknown.

[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - J02761]

Sept 27 at Sea

Bay Gelding N^o 650 destroyed by order of Veterinary Officer.  This horse was suffering from Stomatitus + was embarked contrary to advice of Vet Officer.

Sept 27  6am

Passed Sydney Heads

[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - Official unit war diary, 7th Battery]

South Head's lighthouse & associated light station, c.1910.

[Courtesy of Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales]

Sunday 27th September

When I looked through the port of my Cabin at 6 A.M. I discovered we were off Sydney Heads. The rising sun on the Light Houses and cliffs made a splendid panorama. I inspected all horses at 7 A.M. with Veterinary Officer. Sick horse previously referred to is now unable to stand and had to be slung and fed through a drench. A second sick horse was also moved to upper deck. I gave instructions to move some horses into more suitable stalls, and also arranged for sand both to be prepared and saw it completed. Inspected ship at 10A.M. with Medical Officer. Sick horse destroyed at 3PM and cast overboard. Board at once detailed for same.

I forwarded to District Commandant Brisbane acknowledgement of the State Governor’s message, also acknowledgement of same from "Star of England", "Anglo Egyptian" and "Omrah". All by wireless.

[Courtesy of State Library of New South Wales - Sir Charles Rosenthal diary]